Record controlled machine



Feb. 1, 1938. R HOUSTON 2,106,801

RECORD CONTROLLED MACHINE Original Filed June 16, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYJ Feb. 1, 1938 R. HOUSTON RECORD CONTROLLED MACHINE Original Fi led June 1a, 1925 2 Shefcs-Sheet 2 I WVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 1, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application June 16, 1928, Serial No. 286,025 Renewed November 11, 1933 22 Claims.

-This invention pertains to record controlled machines, or more specifically to accounting machines which simultaneously operate several independent counters or accumulators from a plurality of perforated or otherwise indexed record columns.

Heretofore machines of this class have depended for their operation upon one of two systems of perforations. The first utilizes the digit index system in which each digit has its distinctive index position upon a record card arranged in mathematical ratio from zero point. The second system utilizes what has been known as the combinational hole code system of perforations, w wherein arbitrary combinations of holes are made to represent the digits and depend for their analysis and translation upon sensing elements and a multiplicity of notched permutation slides, or other equivalent electrical or mechanical analysis 39 and translation devices.

When a digit is to be expressed on the combinational hole code card it is, by suitable mechanism in the perforating device, translated from the realm of mathematics'into that of mechanics g5 and expressed in the form of an arbitrary code upon the record card, such code having no mathematical properties whatever but being arranged only in accordance with some mechanical convenience. It will therefore be apparent that the 39 second system involves a transmutation into the machine itself of the mechanicsof the digit index card of the first system.

The mathematical'control of the combinational hole system being located in the machine, inter- 35 vening mechanism is necessarily employed for analyzing the code perforations in the card reducing the signals arising therefrom, whether of single or plural nature due to single or plural perforations, into a uniform class of single identifying signals and associating any such signals with the proper index point in the mechanism which corresponds to the digit index card of the first class of machines, so that such index points will serve a purpose similar to that served by a single 7, perforation in the digit index card of the first system. I

These index points having mathematical order serve in cooperation with other mechanism to translate the mechanical code back into mathevertical formgiving each separate coded record a value corresponding to the d git which it is intended to represent. The translation from mechanical to'mathematical form having been accomplishcd. registration of the mathematical 5:, value is effected on some form of indexing devices.

The first mentioned system involves a large amount of record material since at least nine record positions must be provided for each column while only one such position is or can be used.

The second mentioned system reduces the 5 amount of record material necessary to obtain nine digits but in order to translate the hole combinatons into one of the nine digits the machine requires a separate translating organization for each column or combination of holes, and since 10 a large number 'of columns must be read and translated simultaneously to serve any useful purpose, the mechanism ls accordingly complicated and expensive to manufacture and maintain.

In the past, many variatlonshave been devised for carrying out both systems, but all have depended, either upon the digit index position with its attendant extravagant use of record material, or upon the arbitrary and fixed combinational code with its complicated and expensive analyzing and translating mechanism.

The system forming the subject matter of my invention eliminates the necessity of complicated analyzing and translating mechanism and yet provides means for expressing a number greater than the number of index positions on the card. The largest number ever to be expressed in a single column is pre-analyzed and certain of its component values are assigned to the perforation positions upon the record card. In accounting machines where the decimal system is in use the I highest number is nine and such may accordingly be used for purposes of illustration. Such components are chosen for the several perforation positions as will singly or in suitable aggregation equal any other number up to and including the highest number and these values are assigned to the several perforation positions.

In order to record a digit in any column, the perforation position thereon corresponding in value to such digit is perforated if such a perforation position exists. If there is no perforation position corresponding to such digit, then the digit to be expressed is analyzed into components correspondng to values which are to be found upon the card and such components rather than the whole number itself are expressed by perforating the corresponding value positions.

Registration of the digit is effected in the machine by direct control in a manner somewhat similar to that employed in the digit index system of perforations when a digit is expressed by a single perforation, and by synthetically compounding the pre-analyzed record by use of the same registering mechanism when it has been necessary or desirable to pre-analyze the digit and express it in the form of components. Whether the digit is expressed by a single or plurality of perforations, no complicated analyzing or translating mechanism is required in the present machine since all necessary analyzing is done in the process of punching the card and this pre-analysis has in no way destroyed the mathematical properties of the digit even though it has been broken down into constituent parts, and accordingly requires no translation from mechanical to mathematical form.

My invention comprises, therefore, a new and useful system of record reading and control, which is generically distinct in its operation from anything that has preceded it, and one of its important objects is to simplify the record reading and control mechanism.

Another of the more important objects of the invention is to reduce the amount of record material used in record controlled machines.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for reading a plurality of index points,

such as perforations, in a record card by a single sensing element in combination with a simplified mechanism for registering the values of such index points.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for correctly reading and registering data expressed by a single hole or other index point or by a plurality of holes or index points, when each of such holes or index points has a distinct meaning or value, and in which the plurality of holes, in order to express a digit, does not necessarily conform to any rigid code. The advantage of this feature of my invention will be further apparent when it is understood that with arbitrary code records in use, the average person handling such records is unable to read the data represented by the perforations since they have no mathematical significance, and therefore it has heretofore been the practice to provide elaborate secondary mechanisms for interpreting and printing in characters the meaning of the code in some position on the card adjacent to the combinational holes for each column. Such mechanism is not required to prepare the cards which the present invention is capable of reading, since each hole has its own value distinct from all other holes, and can be so marked upon the card. By a simple primary addition of the holes of any group, the operator is able to read such group.

In my system, a value is therefore assigned to each perforation position upon the record card and these values are so selected that the several positions when taken singly, or in multiple with assigned values of other positions, will sum up to and include the highest number or value desired in the system. This number is preferably nine in accounting machines using the decimal system. It is also desirable though not necessary that the values assigned to each position on the card should not total or aggregate a number greater than the highest number to be expressed. Values which are capable of expressing consecutive digits when taken singly or in the aggregate with other values may be such combinations as 1, 2, 2, 4 or 1, 1, 2, 5 or 1, 1, 3, 4 or 1, 2, 3, 3, or 1, 2, 4, 6. It is clear that many groups of values of four may be selected as shown by the above examples which do not recite all the possible combinations thereof.

The system is not restricted to four perforation positions but will apply to five positions or more. If flve perforation positions are used the five values are selected in the manner described above so that every digit may be expressed either by the value of a single position or an aggregate value of two or more positions. A detailed description therefore need not be given of the manner of selecting values for a five position card.

In order that the invention may be more clearly described I have chosen the combination, 1, 2, 2, 4 as representing the respective values of the perforation positions in each column of the record in the following more detailed description and it is to be understood that I do not thereby limit my invention to that specific combination but that the invention is applicable to all possible combinations of values in groups of four or more.

A series of sensing elements is provided to engage the perforation positions on the card. Each one of these sensing elements in conjunction with the perforations in its respective column of the card controls the movement, and with certain other means also the amount of movement, of an accumulator or a registering member associated with each sensing element. Inasmuch as a sensing element functions only when a perforation occurs in the position in the column being read at a particular instant, there is consequently no movement of the registering members in such positions as are unperforated.

Further objects, advantages, and features of my invention will more fully hereinafter appear taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 represents the preferred form of perfo rated record card for controlling the operation of the machine illustrated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred form of an electrically operated machine controlled by such cards, the electrical connections and other parts of the machine being illustrated more or less diagrammatically and some of the parts which are not conducive to an understanding of my invention having been omitted entirely.

Fig. 3 represents a drum upon which is mounted the commutator 34, a development of which is shown in Fig. 2.

The form of perforated record card employed with the machine to be described herein will now be described. Referring to Fig. l the values 1, 2, 2, 4 are shown as having been assigned to the four value or perforation positions in each column on the card at the points VI, V2, V3 and V4 respectively, and so printed thereon. The card, in addition, may be divided into fields or sections each comprising a plurality of columns of perforation positions as indicated at SI, S2, etc. and may be paper or any other suitable insulating material. Throughout it is to be understood that a perforation is only one of the many forms of index points that may be utilized.

In order to explain the manner in which the values assigned to the perforation positions are used, let it be assumed that the number 7324 is to be recorded in the first and also in the second field of the card shown in Fig. 1. As previously explained the perforation positions in each column are arbitrarily selected as having the values 1, 2, 2, 4 and therefore the thousands digit 7 of the desired number is obtained by selecting values whose sum is '7 which would be the positions having values of 4, 2 and 1 in the columns pl. To secure the hundreds digit, positions having a summed value of 3 are selected which would be values 2 and 1 in the columns p2. Since positions having values of 2 and 4 exist in each of the columns the tens and units digits are secured by a single perforation position in p! and 94 respectively.

Since there are two perforation positions in each column whose value is 2 it is apparent that a single number may be recorded in many different ways depending upon which position having a value of 2 is selected to represent a number alone or when summed with other values in the column to secure the desired number. Again instead of utilizing a perforation having the value 4 to secure the number 4, this number may be obtained by a sum of the two positions having a value of 2. It is seen therefore that a single number may be recorded in a number of different ways merely by selecting different combinations of values or value positions and this has been illustrated in Fig. 1 in which both the first and second fields represent the same number'7324 yet different perforation positions have been selected.

ling machine illustrated, described and claimed herein is capable of reading either of the combinations shown, or any other combination, with equal facility, and accordingly the system has the advantage of great flexibility. This advantage is reflected in savings of both record material and labor. Because of the flexibility of my system upon which the present application is based, many errors in punching may be corrected, without in any way affecting the accuracy of the final results. To recite simple illustrations, if the punch operator while preparing the card strikes the 2 key of the punch, when the 6 was intended, he needonly punch a 4 in the same column and the correction is made since the sum of the values is 6 the desired number. If a 2 is punched when a 4 was intended, another perforation may be placed in the position of the alternate 2 value of the same column, and the machine will read the combination as the desired 4. It is apparent that many corrections of this character can be made and further illustrations are unnecessary to indicate the great latitude which the present invention gives to the punch operator for correcting errors and thereby saving labor and material.

The preferred form of the device which is used for perforating the card, being another invention, is not shown nor described herein.

In its broad aspect the perforated record card,

in order that it may properly cooperate withthe machine which it is adapted to control, is accurately cut to a predetermined size and comprises a plurality of columns accurately spaced in relation to one another and to the lateral extremities of the card and each of which columns consists of less than nine perforation positions located at predetermined distances from both ends of the card and from one another and accurately placed in their respective vertical positions, each of said positions when perforated representing a definite value; and the values singly or in proper aggregate expressing any digit up to and including the digit nine, or stated in another way the values being components of the highest number to be expressed by any single combination of perforations. The machine operating upon and controlled by such a card may obviously assume a variety of forms. Consequently the machine itself, which is illustrated, described and claimed herein is expressely understood to be merely the preferred embodiment insofar as that aspect of my invention is con-;

cerned. This specific embodiment I will now proceed to describe in detail.

Referring to Fig. 2.11 quantity of record cards such as those described above and shown in Fig. 1 are placed upright on the platform 2 with the longitudinal rows of perforation positions having a value of 4 at the bottom and are fed, one by one. by any suitable means to the position indicated by card I for cooperation with sensing elements 20A, 20B, 200 etc., securely held by a suitable supporting bar 20. I have shown the well known reciprocating cross head stripper 3 slidably mounted in suitable guides and carrying a plate to which projects over the top of the first card slightly less than the thickness of said card for feeding the cards from the platform 2, although the cards may be fed by hand or any other suitable means. The stripper is driven by a connecting rod 4 eccentrically pivoted to a disk 5, mounted upon a shaft 0 which is so connected by gearing (not shown) to the shaft it that the stripper, at the proper time, delivers the card to the feed rollers I and I the latter being driven at a speed having a fixed relation to shaft III.

A cylindrical feed roller 8 is suitably secured to the shaft Ill and has an outer-surface of some electrical conducting material the purpose of which will be explained later. A gear I I, secured to shaft Ill, meshes with a gear I! loosely mounted upon a shaft it. This gear Ii has a clutch member A secured to its face and adapted to be engaged by a cooperating clutch member ll slidable longitudinally upon the shaft it but rotatable with the shaft through a spline IS. The shaft It is continuously driven by means of the motor it through belt "A and pulley I'l'mounted upon the shaft l6 and therefore the shaft i0 is rotated only when the clutching members are engaged as shown in Fig. 2. The well known jaw clutch is used because of its simplicity of illustration but it is clear that practically any known form of clutch is equally adapted and effective for the purpose. The clutch member I4 is disengaged from its cooperating member A upon being moved to the left axially upon the shaft l6 by the lever A pivoted at I33 and having the usual bifurcated arm I3D projecting into a circular groove B in the laterally slidable clutch member I. The lever ISA is rocked upon its pivot by means of an electromagnet I3 cooperating with an' armature secured to the upper end of lever "A, a spring I30 being provided for normally holding the armature withdrawn from the electromagnet and the clutch in open or disengaged position.

A bar 2. is constructed of insulating material and is held rigidly in position between the side members of the frame of the machine (not shown in the drawings) and is drilled to receive a series of brushes or sensing elements 20A, 2013, "C etc., the center distancesbetween said brushes being equal to the spacing of the columns on the record card. The extremities of the brushes extend exactly the same distance from the bar 29 and vare in a direct line with one another so that they is connected to a source of energy such as a battery 50, the circuit being completed through the brushes which are connected to the opposite side of the source through mechanism to be described when a perforation in the card appears opposite said brushes. A card, as it is fed down from the platform 2, passes between the roller 8 and the brushes 20A, 28B, etc., thereby breaking the contact between the brushes or sensing elements and the roller 8, which contact is not reestablished until the card has passed beyond the roller 8 or unless a perforation exists in a column of the card in which case a brush or sensing element comes into contact with the roller through the perforation. It may be stated at this point that when the roller 8, through a perforation, is engaged by a sensing element a circuit is closed and certain operations take place. The downward movement of the card having been arrested by other mechanism, means are provided to operate a registering device or accumulator for a period the duration of which is proportional to the predetermined value of that perforation. At the end of such period the movement of the record card is reestablished by other means to be described. The mechanism for setting the counter mechanism or accumulators into operation upon the closing of the circuits will now be described.

The conducting wire 2|A connects the brush 20A to an electromagnet 22A which controls a clutch member 24A by means of the pivoted armature 23A. The clutch member 24A, in a well known manner, operatively connects the constantly rotating shaft 33 with the index wheel 25A rotating it an amount dependent upon other mechanism which will be described.

The index wheel 25A, which is one form of a differentially adjustable device, is provided with ten index positions marked around its periphery in the usual manner and is freely mounted upon the driving shaft 33, so that it does not turn with the shaft 33 except when selectively connected thereto by the engagement of the clutch member 24A with one of the ten clutch teeth with which the index wheel is equipped. This clutch acts in a manner similar to the clutch |4--|4A, the same being more fully described in the Hollerith Patent 945,236 and is so well understood by those skilled in the art that it requires no detailed explanation here. indows (not shown) may be located over the positions of the counters at which zeros are shown in the drawings, and through these windows readings may be taken. Although only four of such electromagnets and index wheel units are shown in the drawings it is to be understood that each of the brushes may be connected to a similar electromagnet which controls a separate index wheel in the same manner as the single unit described above and the wheels grouped into independent counters. It is to be noted however that all the index wheels may be driven from the single shaft 33.

In registering devices of this class there are, of course, other supplementary mechanisms required, such as means for carrying, or transferring from one wheel to the next of higher order, when used for addition, resetting means, means for selectively associating any column of the card with any particular registering member, and mechanism for performing other desirable secondary functions. There are however so many well known and satisfactory methods of accomplishing these other results, which I may utilize and which are well understood by those skilled in the art, that an explanation of their operation is unnecessary to a complete understanding of the present invention.

A commutator or control member 34 is adapted to be connected in series with the electromagnets 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, etc., through the perforations in the card and is constructed of non-conducting material having control means or conducting pieces 35, 36, 31, 38, 38, 40, 4| and 42 imbedded therein or mounted thereon in any suitable manner. A development of the surface of the commutator is shown in flat perspective in Fig. 2 to enable its function and operation to be more readily understood, and in its preferred form it is mounted upon or forms the cylindrical surface of a drum, as shown in Fig. 3, which drum is mounted upon a shaft 41 driven from shaft l6. It is clear however that the commutator may be a disk or'may take any other suitable form.

The conducting pieces or control elements 39, 40, 4| and 42 are of different lengths or dimensions, the reason for which will be explained later and their lengths are proportional to selected digital values of the various index point positions so that one or more of the elements taken together will produce dimensions or lengths increasing proportionately in units of one and in the same sequence as the assigned values for the perforations in the cards. Since in this case the values of the perforations have been selected as 4, 2, 2, end 1 the length or dimension of the conducting piece 39 is four times that of piece 42, and 48 and 4| are twice as long as conducting piece 42. Similarly if the values of the perforations had been taken as l, 1, 2, 5, which is one of the combinations previously pointed out, then contacting piece 39 would be five times as long as the piece 42, 40 would be twice the length of 42, and 4| would be equal in length to 42. These conducting pieces 39, 48, 4| and 42 are furthermore aligned with each other so that a single set of brushes engages the pieces in sequence as the drum rotates. If the contact pieces were arranged upon a disk then they would be positioned upon a circle or at the same distance from the center of the disk. The contacting pieces 35, 36, 31 and 38 are also aligned with each other and are placed parallel to and in close proximity with the conducting pieces 38, 40, 4| and 42. Pieces 36, 31 and 38 are of equal length and located opposite the insulated spaces between the pieces 39 and 48, 40 and 4|, 4| and 42, whereas the conducting piece 35 is considerably longer and is located opposite the insulated space between the adjoining conducting pieces 42 and 39.

Brushes 45 and 48 are mounted upon an insulated holder (not shown) so that they contact with the conducting pieces 39, 40, 4| and 42 and brushes 43 and 44 are also so mounted upon the same or a similar insulated holder adjacent to brushes 45 and 46 that they contact with conducting pieces 35, 36, 31 and 38 as the commutator rotates. The brushes 43 and 44 are connected in series through lead 54 with the electromagnet l3 and therefore these brushes together with the commutatorcontrol the current energizing this electromagnet. The conducting pieces and brushes are so positioned in the manner described that a circuit exists at the commutator between brushes 43 and 44 or between brushes 45 and 48 at practically all times although a momentary delay in making one circuit after the other is broken is preferable.

A brush l8 similar to the sensing element 20A is mounted upon the insulated holder 28 at its end and normally engages the conducting roller 8, when no card is passing over the roller, in the same manner as the sensing element 28A but differing therefrom in being outside of the field containing the columns of perforations positions but in the path of the card. This brush is electrically connected by the lead 38 to an electromagnet 29 of a relay mechanism which electromagnet has an armature 28 having a spring 28A which normally holds the armature in contact with the contact point 32. The circuit between the brushes and 48 of the commutator 34 to the source of electrical energy 58 is completed through the armature 28 when in contact with the point 32.

A manually operated switch 3| controls the motor and all other circuits of the machine.

The operation of the apparatus will now be described. A quantity of cards having been properly placed on plate 2, with any suitable means for pressing them forward against the stripper 3, the switch 3| is closed as shown in Fig. 2 which closes the circuit 5|, 3|, l8 and 52 back to the source of energy 58 and motor I8 is started. The motor drives shaft iii to which is suitably connected the commutator shaft 41, the driving shaft 33 for the registering wheels, the stripper shaft 8, and other parts as before described. The switch 3| also establishes a branch circuit through 53 to contact 8A, the outer conducting surface of feed roller 8, brush I8, lead 38, control relay 28 and thence to 3| and 5| back to the source of energy 58. The closing of this circuit energizes the relay magnet 29 which attracts and holds its armature 28 away from the contact point 32 which keeps the circuit open through 21, 3| and 5| from the source 58 to the commutator brush 48 which is therefore disabled from serving its normal function as a return conductor when in contact with the conducting pieces 39, 48, 4| and 42. The circuit through the armature 28 and brush 48 also includes the counter magnets 22A, 22B, 22C and 22D etc., and accordingly such counter controlling electromagnets are not energized as long as the electromagnet 28 is energized and holding its armature 28 from contact with the point 32.

In the relative position of the parts as shown in Fig. 2 a completed current carrying circuit exists from the power source 58, through 53, 55, electrcmagnet I3, 54, 43, 35, 44, 21, 3| and back to so that the electromagnet I3 is energized to hold the clutch member M, Na in engagement to enable the driving of the rollers 8, 8', I and 1' from shaft l8. When a card is fed downward by the crosshead or stripper 3 between the rotating rollers I, 1', the latter continue the card's downward movement until it reaches the rollers 8, 8', as shown in Fig. 2. In this position the commutator, which rotates continuously in fixed relation-with the crosshead and its associated mechanism, is in the position shown in Fig. 2. Continued movement of the rollers and feeds the cards between the rollers 8 and 8' and between the roller 8 and the sensing members 28A, 281?- etc. and also between roller 8 and brush member -|9 the latter breaking the circuits through the other sensing members 28A, 283 etc. However it should be noted that the circuits through 28A, 283, etc. are open circuits because of the break between brushes 45, 46 so that severing the circuit at 28A, 283 etc. has no effect .with respect to these circuits. Brush member IS on the other hand is a part of a completed or closed circuit 5|, 3|, electromagnet 28, 38, I9, 8, 8A, 53 and power source 58, which carries the necessary current to energize the electromagnet 28 and hold its armature 28 out of contact with point 32 as previously described. When the card comes between the roller 8 and element l8 this-circuit is broken and the electromagnet 28 is no longer energized to hold armature 28 thus enabling the spring 28A to bias the armature into contact with point 32 thereby closing the circuit through the annature and the commutator brush 48 but the circuit is broken by the inculated commutator between brushes 48 and 45.

The card continues its downward movement between the rollers 8, 8' until the sensing elements 28A, 203 etc. are over the first or lower row of perforation positions V4 of the card, the commutator having rotated until at this instant the brushes 43, 44, 45 and 48 are in position 34A where brushes 43, 44 have just broken contact with the conducting piece 35 and the brushes 45, 48 have just made contact with conducting piece 39. At this instant certain actions take place as follows; first the circuit to the electromagnet I3 is broken due to the fact that the brushes 43, 44 are no longer in contact with piece 35 thus releasing the armature |3A and enabling the spring |3C to disengage the clutch member l4 and MA so that the feed rollers stop their rotation and the card remains stationary with the sensing elements on the perforation positions V4; second, if there are any perforations in the card in the positions V4, the correspondingsensing elements pass through these perforations and contact with the conducting surface of roller 8 so that the brushes 45 and 48 making contact with conducting piece 38 establish these circuits including such sensing elements energizing the respective counter magnets of these circuits, and throwing the respective counter clutches into engagement with rotating shaft 33 and rotating the index or accumulator wheels. Now the commutator continues its rotation uniformly and the card being stationary with such sensing elements in contact with roller 8 where perforations exist and the circuit established through brushes 45 and 48 and conducting piece 39, the electromagnet 22A etc. are energized as long as the brushes 45 and 48 are in contact with piece 38. It is for this reason that piece 39 has a length of four units so that this circuit exists for four units of time and electromagnets 22A etc. are energized for four units of time enabling the index wheel clutches to be operatively connected to shaft 33 for four units of a complete revolution of shaft 33. The index or accumulator wheels have therefore registered a four. It is clear that if no perforations exist in position V4 for the sensing element 20A etc. no circuit is completed, no index wheel is connected to shaft 33, and no registerlng of the index wheels takes place.

When the commutator has rotated so that the brushes 45 and 48 engage the same at position 343, shown in Fig. 2, said brushes are no longer in contact with conducting piece 38,- the circuit to all the sensing elements is broken and therefore the respective index wheel clutches are disengaged as will -be understood. At the same moment that this circuit is broken the conducting piece 38 comes into contact with brushes 43 and 44 completing this circuit so that electromagnet I3 is again energized throwing clutch member I4 into engagement with the member MA with a result that a further feeding movement is imparted to the card until the perforation position V3 of the card is directly under the sensing elements 20A, 203, etc. At this instant the brushes 4!, 44, 45 and 46 are in engagement with the commutator at the position 340 and certain actions take place similar to the actions occurring when the sensing elements 20A, 203 etc. were over the perforation position V4 of the card. There is this difference however in the two actions; the conducting piece 40 being only two units long, the index wheel clutches are in operative relation only two units of time, or for two units of revolution of shaft 31 and therefore two units on the index or accumulator wheels are registered, provided, of course, that perforations in the V3 perforation position of the columns corresponding to said wheels occur.

The same actions occur for the V2 position and the VI position and a detailed description thereof is not necessary although it is to be noted that conducting element 42 of the commutator is only one unit long, and therefore in position VI the index wheels are rotated but one unit of a complete revolution and the wheels register only one unit for perforations in the VI position.

It follows that there is provided not only certain instrumentalities for giving a predetermined value to each perforated position V4, V3, V2 and VI but also means controlled by the perforations in each column for summing the values of the perforations therein. In other words means are provided for adjusting the registering wheels to any desired position during a single cycle of operations, said means comprising means controlled by the pre-analyzed record card for imparting or distributing either a single impulse or an aggregation of separate impulses of variable-or predetermined durations to any of said wheels during said cycle, the durations being proportional to the assigned values of the perforated positions of the card or proportional to the selected relative lengths of the commutator segments 39, 40, 4i and 42 or the relative lengths of the spaces between the segments 35, 38, 31 and SI.

It is apparent from the foregoing that whenever a perforations appears in any column of the card the value of that perforation is registered upon the index or accumulator wheel corresponding to that column; and it does not matter how many perforations appear in one column since the mechanism functions the same for each perforation in the column and the index wheel is further rotated an amount depending upon the value of that perforation. It will also be apparent from the foregoing that, in combination with the type of card illustrated and described, means are provided, common to all of the columns of the card, for giving to the perforations a positive value corresponding to the assigned value, and while the embodiment of my invention illustrated herein shows how the values are utilized in connection with registering mechanism it is obvious that they may be utilized for other purposes. This giving to the perforations a positive value corresponding to the assigned value constitutes one of the more important features of my invention.

When the card has passed completely by the sensing elements, the element l9 again comes into contact with the conducting surface of roll I re establishing this circuit so that relay 2! is energized and all circuits through its armature 28 are broken.

In the further revolution of commutator l4, conducting element 35 is brought into contact with brushes 4! and 44, thus energizing the electromagnet I3 and causing the engagement of card feed clutch members i4-l4A to drive the feed. mechanism continuously during such contact. The length of contact element 35 is such as will enable the card feed mechanism to eject the card just read and bring a new card into the position shown in Fig. 2. A complete cycle of operations, therefore, has transpired and is repeated when a second card is fed down from platform 2 by the crosshead stripper 3 after which the machine is ready to repeat the cycle of operations described, of properly reading and registering a single or a plurality of perforations upon the next record card.

Thus it will be seen, among other things, that there is provided means adapted to selectively impart variable movements to the registering members to register the values of the perforations located in the positions V4, V3, V2 and Vi respectively; that all of the values of the perforations in any one of such positions, that is a single value correspondingly located in all of the columns, are simultaneously registered on the registering mechanism; that there is provided means controlled by the perforated spaces in any column for successively registering the values thereof on the registering mechanism during a single adding cycle; that there is provided a plurality of registering members, electrical means for sensing the perforations in the card, and a single electromagnet for each member cooperating with the sensing means to control the adjustment of said members; and that there is provided means adapted to selectively arrest the movement of any of the registering members and holding the same at rest for periods proportional to the assigned values of the unperforated portions of the card.

The lengths of the conducting sectors 38, 40, 4i and 42 on the commutator 34 are made to correspond with the values of the reading positions on the record card. The sectors therefore deliver electrical impulses or provide an electrical potential upon the roll 8 of predetermined duration and any electrical means which performs this function is contemplated herein, as well as any mechanical means which provides a mechanical impulse of predetermined extent or duration since it is the impulse, irrespective of how it is generated or produced, which is utilized and contemplated by the invention. Again other means could be employed for delivering current to roll 8 without changing the operation of the machine. I have constructed the commutator as described to provide means for breaking the current at the commutator rather than at the card where an arc is undesirable. The brushes held by the insulating bar 20 are made up by grouping a multiplicity of small wires and as preferably arranged the lower portion of the brush is still in contact with B through the upper portion of the perforation for sufficient time after the card has begun to move downward to permit 38, 40, 4| or 42 to definitely leave the brushes 45 and 46 before contact between the sensing members 20 and roll 8 is broken thus causing the current to break at the commutator.

It will be readily understood that other values than those assigned to the card may be read with equal facility by changing the relative distances between 35, 36, 31 and 38 and changing the lengths of the contact elements 39, 40, 4| and 42 to correspond to the values assigned to the card, or by otherwise providing means for holding the card in reading position for each value position a sufficient length of time to enable the counter driving shaft 33 to move the registering members at least the'numb'er of index positions which correspond to the values being read. During such rest of the card there is delivered in any suitable manner an electrical impulse of suflicient duration through the perforation spaces, as will control the engagement of the registering members with the driving shaft 33 for a time corresponding to the values of the position being read. The commutator in conjunction with the source of electrical potential applied thereto is a generator of electrical impulses.

I prefer to use a-combination of values in each column the aggregate total of which does not exceed n ne for the reason that any increase over this number would increase the aggregate time the card is at rest and in the interest of speed I have preferred to keep this time down to its minimum. There are occasions however when speed is not a greatfactor and I may on such occasions prefer to use higher values in order to reduce the number of perforations required to express some of the digits.

While I have illustrated and described herein the preferred embodiment of my invention it is to be expressly understood that I do not limit -myself thereto as many changes may readily be made in points of detail and other embodiments resorted to without deviating from the true spirit and scope of my invention. It is also to be understood that while the invention is particularly adapted to recording devices it is obvious that it is capable of being usedin connection with printing and other kindred devices and accordingly extends to such devices. However, in order that the record cards illustrated and described herein may properly function in the machines which they are adapted to control, it is essential that they be accurately cut to predetermined size, that the columns thereof be accurately spaced in relation to one another and to the lateral extremities of the card, and that the perforations thereof be accurately placed in their respective vertical positions.

What I claim is: Y 1. In a record controlled apparatus utilizing a record card having a plurality of columns each containing a plurality of index point positions thereon of different values, the combination of means for sensing the perforations in a column, means for producing relative movement between the record card and the sensing means, an accumulator order for said column, mechanism for actuating said accumulator order, an electro-' magnet adapted to operatively connect said accumulator order and mechanism, an operating circuit including said electromagnet and sensing means, and means'forming a part of said circuit adapted to render the electromagnet operative for one or more periods for the column and the duration of said period or periods being propor tional to the'value or values of said index point or points being registered.

2. A record controlled machine utilizing a perforated card having a plurality of columns each having less than nine perforation positions, each perforation position being assigned a predetermined value and one or more perforation positions being adapted to be perforated in each column to express any digit comprising a single sensing member for a column, feeding means for the card, a clutch for controlling the feeding means, a commutator for disengaging the feeding means clutch so that the card is arrested for a predetermined interval of time proportional to the predetermined value of the perforation position as each perforation position of the column is aligned with the sensing member, an accumulator wheel, and an electric circuit including means for controlling the accumulator wheel and controlled by a sensing member and one or more perforations in the column of the card for registering upon the accumulator wheel a value proportional to the duration of current which corresponds to the assigned value of each perforation.

3. A record controlled machine utilizing a perforated card having a plurality of columns each having less than nine perforation positions, each perforation position being assigned a predetermined value and one or more perforation positions being adapted to be perforated in each column to express any digit comprising a single sensing member for a column of the card which sensing member cooperates with each perforation in the column, an electric circuit for the column of the card including the sensing member, the

circu't being controlled by the sensing member aligned with the sensing member, means for closing and opening the circuit of the sensing member so that the. circuit is closed a predetermined period of time proportional to the assigned value of the perforation position as it is aligned with the sensing member and an accumulator order controlled by the circuit for registering upon the accumulator order a value or values proportional to the duration of current which corresponds with the assigned value of'each perforation in the column.

.4. A record controlled machine utilizing a perforated card'having a plurality of columns each having a plurality of 'perforation positions and each position .being assigned a predetermined value comprising a single sensing means for a column, an electrical circuit for the column of the card which is closed by one or more perforations in the column and by the sensing means, feeding means for the card, means including a timing commutator for controlling the feeding means for arresting the card, when the sensing means is successively aligned with each perforation position for a length of time proportional to the assigned value of the, position, an electro-magnet connected to the sensing means and energized by its circuit when the sensing means engages in a perforation for a length of time equal to the time of .rest of the record at each position, a drive shaft, an accumulator wheel, and a clutch controlled by the electro-magnet operatively connecting the drive shaft and the accumulator wheel so long as the electromagnet'is energized to register a value proportional to the value of the perforation.

5. A record controlled machine utilizing a perforated card having a plurality of columns having a plurality of perforation positions of predetermined value comprising a single sensing means associated with a column, an electrical circuit which is closed at each perforation by the sensing means, feeding means for the card, means including a timing commutator for controlling the feeding means for arresting the card, when the sensing means reaches each perforated position, for a length of time proportional to the predetermined value of the position, means associated with the commutator for maintaining the sensing means circuit for a length of time proportional to the predetermined value of the perforation position and breaking said circuit before the card moves to the next position in the column, an electro-magnet included in the circuit with the sensing element and energized by the circuit so long as it is maintained and which is substantially equal to the time of rest of the card at each position, a drive shaft, an accumulator wheel, and a clutch controlled by the electromagnet operatively connecting the drive shaft and the accumulator wheel so long as the electro-magnet is energized to register a value proportional to the value of the perforation.

6. A record controlled machine utilizing a per forated card having a plurality of columns and each column having less than nine perforation positions, each perforation position having a predetermined value comprising feeding means for the card, a continuously rotating commutator, a group of conducting plates on said commutator each plate being spaced successively from the adjacent plate a distance proportional to the value of the perforation positions in a column of the card, a circuit controlling said feeding means and closed by said plates for engaging the feeding means and the spaces controlling the disengaging of the feeding means for a period of time proportional to the length of the spaces, a single sensing means for the column of the card for establishing an electric circuit through each perforation, an accumulator wheel for the column of the card, a drive shaft for the accumulator wheel, and electrical means controlled by the circuit for operatively connecting the drive shaft with the accumulator wheel to enter the value or values of the perforation or perforations.

7. A record controlled machine utilizing a perforated card including a plurality of columns having less than nine perforation positions, each position having a predetermined value, comprising feeding means for the card, a continuously rotating commutator, a group of spaced conducting plates upon said commutator for controlling the feeding means, a second group of spaced conducting plates upon said commutator equal in number to the number of perforation positions in a column on the card and having lengths proportional to the predetermined values of the perforation positions, a sensing member for the column of the card electrically connected through the second group of plates, an accumulator order for the column, a uniformly rotating drive shaft, and electrical means controlled by the sensing member, the second group of plates and each perforation in the column for connecting the accumulator order to the drive shaft to register the value of each perforation.

8. A record controlled machine utilizing a perforated card having a plurality of columns having less than nine perforation positions, each perforation position having a predetermined value, comprising a single sensing means for a column for establishing an electrical circuit through each perforation in the column of the card, feeding means for the card, a continuously rotating commutator common to all columns, electrically actuated means including means on the commutator for arresting the feeding means when a perforation position is aligned with the sensing means, other means on said commutator for each perforation position in circuit with the sensing means for maintaining the sensing circuit a length of time proportional to the value of the perforation position, a uniformly rotating drive shaft, an accumulator wheel for the sensing means, and electrically actuated means controlled the sensing means and the other means on the commutawr for operatively connecting the accumulator wheel with the drive shaft to register the value of each perforation.

9. A record controlled machine utilizing a record card having a plurality of columns each having less than nine perforation positions of assigned values one or more of which positions are adapted) to be perforated to express any digit, comprising means for sensing each perforation in a column of the card, means for producing relative movement between the record card and the sensing means, a means for each perforation position and common to all the columns and each having a dimension proportional to the assigned value of the corresponding perforation position for giving to each perforation in a column the predetermined proportional value corresponding to its assigned value, an accumulator order for the column, and means controlled by the sensing means, each perforation in the column of the card and the common means for actuating the accumulator order proportionally to the assigned value of and the dimension of the common means for each perforation position where a perforation appears there- 10. In a record controlled machine utilizing a record card having a plurality of columns each having less than nine perforation positions thereon and each perforation position being assigned a definite value one or more of which is adapted to be perforated to express any digit, the combination of an accumulator wheel fora column of the card, sensing means for the column of the card for sensing all perforations in the column of the record card, electrical mechanism connected with the sensing means for generating a plurality of electrical impulses each having a duration proportional to the assigned value for a perforation position in the column of the card, and a single electro-magnet for the accumulator wheel connected with the sensing means and the electrical mechanism and cooperating with the sensing means to control the adjustment of the accumulator wheel one or more times, one adjustment being made for each perforation in the column.

11. In a record controlled machine in which 4 recorded components of a number are compounded into the desired number, utilizing a record card having a plurality of columns of perforation positions each column consisting of less than nine perforation positions one or more of A tions in each column, the combination of means for a column of the card for sensing one or more perforations in the column, means for producing 12. In a record controlled machine utilizing a record card comprising a plurality of columns each containing less than nine index point'positions of assigned values one or more of which may be indexed to express any digit, the combination of means for sensing the perforations in a column, means for producing relative movement between the record card and the sensing means, a differentially adjustable device for the column of said index point positions, an operating circuit for the column on the card connected with the sensing means, the circuit being connected with and controlling the differentially adjustable device, and means included in the circuit to maintain the same for one or more continuous periods during the passage of the card relatively to the sensing means, the duration of each period for the column f being proportional to the assigned value of the corresponding index point position.

13. In a record controlled machine in which recorded components of a number are compounded into the desired number, utilizing a record card having a plurality of columns of perforation positions each column consisting of less than nine perforation positions adapted to be 'perforated, each position when perforated representing an assigned value and a component of the highest number to be expressed by any combination of perforated positions in each column, the combination of means for a column of the card for sensing the perforations in the column, means for producing relative movement between the card and the sensing means, an accumulator element for the column, means for actuating the accumulator element, control means for each perforation position and common to a plurality of the columns of perforation positions, each control means having a dimension proportional to the assigned value of the corresponding perforation position in the column, the control means cooperating with the sensing means to cause the operation of the actuating means for the accumulator element for one or more independent periods for the column on the card which period or periods are proportional to the dimension or dimensions of the control means and the assigned value of the perforation position in which a per.- foration appears.

14. In a record controlled machine'utilizing a record card comprising a plurality of columns each containing a plurality of index point positions of different values and one or more of which is adapted to be indexed in each column, the combination of means for sensing the index points in a column, means for producing relative movement between the record card and the sensing means, a constantly rotating shaft, an accumulator wheel for the column, and means controlled by said sensing means and one or more index points in the column of the record card for operatively engaging the wheel with said shaft, said means including means for selectively maintaining such engagement for one or more predetermined periods during the relative movement between the card and the sensing means the duration or durations of which are proportional to the respective value or values of the index point foration positions each column consisting of less' than nine perforation positions one or more of which are adapted to be perforated, each position when perforated representing an assigned value and a component of the highest number to be expressed by any combination of perforated positions in each column, the combination of a single member for a column of the card for sensing the one or more perforations in the column, means for producing relative movement between the card and the sensing member, an accumulator element for the column, means for the accumulator element for actuating the same, a control means for each perforation position and common to a plurality of the columns of perforation positions, each control means being independent of the other control means and having a dimension proportional to the assigned value of the corresponding perforation position, the control means cooperating with the sensing member and the actuating means and one or more perforations in the column of the card for controlling the actuation of the accumulator element for one or more independent periods for the column of the card which period or periods are proportional to the dimension or dimensions of the control means and the assigned value of each perforating position in which a perforation appears.

16. A record controlled apparatus utilizing a record card having a plurality of record columns each column containing less than nine perforation positions comprising means for a column of the card for sensing the perforations in the column, means for producing relative movement between the record card and the sensing means, an accumulator order for the column, means to actuate the same, a single generator for all the columns of the card for producing one or more independent impulses of predetermined magnitude, one impulse being of unit magnitude and the other impulses having a magnitude in proportion thereto so that one or more impulses taken together will provide combined impulses varying in magnitude from one to nine, the number of such impulses corresponding with the number of perforation positions in the column of the card, and means for the actuating means connected with the generator and a sensing means and cooperating therewith and with one or more perforations in the column of the card which distribute one or more impulses from the generator for controlling the actuating means for the accumulator order and hence the latter for one or more predetermined periods proportional to the impulses.

17. A record controlled machine for a perforated record card having a plurality of columns.

of perforation positions each position having an assigned value comprising sensing means for a column of positions for perforations upon the record card, an accumulator order for the column of perforation positions, a single control member for all of the columns having at least four control elements, one control element having a unit dimension and the other control elements having predetermined dimensions which are multiples of the unit dimension and are proportional to the digital values assigned to the perforation positions in the column so that a selected element or a selected plurality of elements taken together will provide an element or elements whose single dimension or combined dimensions vary proportionately by a unit dimension, and means for operating the accumulator order and controlled by each perforation in the column, the sensing means and the control member to move the ac- Gil 18. A record controlled machine for a perforated record card having a plurality of columns of perforation positions each position having an assigned value comprising sensing means for a column of positions for perforations upon the record card, an accumulator order for the column of perforation positions, means for operating the accumulator order,.a single control member for all of the plurality of columns on the card having at least four electrical control elements, one element having a unit dimension and the other control elements having predetermined dimensions which are multiples of the unit dimension and are proportional to the digital values assigned to the perforation positions in the column so that a selected element or a selected plurality of elements taken together will provide an element or elements whose single dimension or combined dimensions vary proportionately by a unit dimension, electrical means for controlling the operating means for the accumulator order, and an electric circuit connected with the aforesaid electrical means and controlled by one or more perforations in the column, the sensing means and the control member to control the electrical means and the operating means for the accumulator order to move the accumulator order through one or more proportional registering distances.

19. A record controlled machine for a perforated record card having a plurality of columns of perforation positions comprising sensing means for a column of positions for perforations upon the record card, an accumulator order for the column of perforation positions, a single control member for all of the plurality of columns of perforation positions having at least four control elements, one element having a unit length and the other control elements having predetermined lengths which are multiples of the unit dimension and are proportional to the digital value assigned to the perforation positions in the column so that a selected element or a selected plurality of elements taken together will provide an element or elements whose single length or combined lengths vary proportionately by a unit length, means to move the control member at a uniform speed, switch means held closed for periods determined by the length of the elements and the speed of movement of the control member, means for operating the accumulator order, and an electrical circuit including the switch means connected with the operating means for the accumulator order and controlled by a perforation or perforations in the column, the sensing means and the control member to move the accumulator order through one or a plurality of proportional registering distances.

20. In a record controlled machine utilizing a record card having a column of less than nine index point positions each having an assigned value when taken singly or with one or more other index point positions, the combination of an accumulator order for the column, a sensing element, means for successively presenting the index point positions to said sensing element, means for arresting the movement of the card each time that an index point position is presented to the sensing element, and means including the sensing element for simultaneously registering upon the accumulator order the value or values of the index point or points presented to said sensing element, said last mentioned means including means for establishing the control of the accumulator order for one or more periods the duration of which period or periods are proportional to the assigned values of the index point positions.

21. A record card controlled apparatus utilizing a record card having a plurality of columns of index positions and each column containing a plurality of but less than nine index point positions one or more of which are adapted to be indexed, comprising an accumulator order for a column of the card, means for the column of the card for sensing the perforations in the column, means for producing relative movement between the record card and the sensing means, in combination with a generator for producing one electrical impulse of predetermined duration for each index position in the column of the card and common to all columns of the card, one impulse being of unit duration and the other impulses having a duration in proportion thereto so that one or more impulses taken together will provide combined impulses varying in duration from one to nine, operating means for the accumulator order to actuate the same, and electrical means controlling the operating means, the electrical means being connected with the sensing means and the generator whereby the sensing means and one or more index points in the column of the record card distributes one or more generator impulses to the electrical means and controls the latter and the operating means for a like duration for registering the values of all index points in the column of the card upon the accumulator order during a single cycle of operations represented by the relative movement between a single card and the sensing means.

22. A record card controlled apparatus utilizing a record card having a plurality of columns of index positions and each column containing a plurality of but less than nine index point positions one or more of which are adapted to be indexed, comprising an accumulator wheel for of column of the card, a driving shaft, clutch mechanism for connecting said wheel to said shaft, an electromagnet for controlling the clutch mechanism, sensing means for the column of the card for sensing the index points therein, the sensing means being connected with the electro-magnet to control the said electro-magnet one or more times for the column of the card, means in circuit with the sensing means and the electromagnet for generating an electrical impulse of predetermined duration for each index point position in the column of the card and common to al-lcf the columns on the card, one impulse being of unit duration and the other impulses having a duration in proportion thereto so that one or more impulses taken together will provide combined impulses varying in duration from one to nine during a single cycle of operations represented by the relative movement between a single card and the sensing means, the duration of each impulse having a definite relation to the movement of the driving shaft, and means to produce relative movement between the card and the sensing means.

ROBERT L. HOUSTON. 

